MA Math approved as Associated NGO by Department of Public Information UN.After awarding special consultative status in 2005, the United Nations has conferred an additional honor during the Christmas Week of 2008. The Department of Public Information (DPI) within the UN has awarded associate status to the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.In a letter addressed to Amma from the Chief NGO Relations of the Department of Public Information UN, the MA Math has been approved as an associated NGO with immediate effect.Excerpts from the letter:"The Committee on Non - Governmental Organizations of the Department of Public Information (DPI) met in December to consider new applications from non-governmental organizations for association with DPI. I am pleased to inform you that the Committee approved Mata Amritanandamayi Math for association with the Department, effective immediately.""This association constitutes a commitment on the part of your organization to disseminate information and raise public awareness about the purposes and activities of the United Nations and issues of global concern...."As an associated NGO, you will be granted United Nations photo grounds passes to receive access to United Nations facilities and to all open meetings of the UN bodies."...M.A. Math joins a list of 17 organizations that have been conferred both honors in India in the past 3 decades. The M.A. Math is the only organization among that list of 17 that has a wide variety of charitable projects in India, and in many of the countries around the world, including the USA. This DPI associate status allows the Math to convey issues of concern around the world to senior officials within the United Nations. Most recently, the Math's representatives have been describing the plight of farmers' as a part of the overall food shortages occurring around the world. The DPI has shown good interest in this issue also.